What can be a great substitute for cayenne pepper?
Substitutes for cayenne pepper
- Hot paprika chili powder. Paprika is a type of chili powder that is available in the spice section of most supermarkets. ...
- Tabasco sauce. Tabasco sauce is made from tabasco peppers which score 30,000-50,000 Scoville heat units. ...
- Red chili flakes. ...
- Gochugaru. ...
- Fresh chili peppers. ...
Can I use chili pepper in place of cayenne pepper?
To replace cayenne pepper, you can use fresh peppers and chili pepper products that contain similar heat levels and flavors to cayenne. For instance, you can use a fresh cayenne pepper substitute like tabasco peppers, a cayenne powder substitute like paprika or a hot sauce such as Frank’s RedHot, depending on the needs of your dish.
Which is better cayenne pepper or paprika?
Paprika:
- Has antioxidant properties that help cleanse toxins and boost the immune system
- Contains large amounts of vitamin A which helps with eye health
- Possesses anti-inflammatory properties which has several benefits, one of which is aiding digestion
- Has anti-cancerous properties
What can you substitute for Tabasco sauce or cayenne pepper?
Red Chili Alternatives
- Tabasco Pepper: Tabasco is the closest match (heat-wise) to the cayenne pepper. ...
- Serrano Pepper: Use serrano chilies when you don’t want the same spicy heat as cayenne, but you prefer something hotter than a jalapeno.
- Jalapeno Pepper: Jalapenos are milder than cayenne and rank between 2,500 to 8,000 SHU. ...
Is cayenne pepper and paprika the same?
Despite similarities, cayenne pepper and paprika are not the same. Both are made from chilies that are dried and ground into powder. Both are a viv...
Can you use cumin instead of cayenne pepper?
You can’t use cumin in place of cayenne pepper, but you can use spice mixes as a quick substitute and these often contain cumin. Cumin is a spice t...
Can you use red pepper instead of cayenne pepper?
Yes, you can use red pepper flakes as a substitute for cayenne pepper, but they don’t generally have the same heat level. If you want to make this...
What is the difference between cayenne pepper and chili powder?
Chili powder is made from a blend of dried and ground chili peppers, whereas cayenne pepper is just ground cayenne. This gives a different flavor,...
Paprika
Paprika is readily available at all grocery stores and brings more of a smoky flavor than intense heat to any dish.
Red Chili Flakes
Red chili flakes are also widely available in most stores and they’re pretty much a coarser and slightly milder version of cayenne pepper powder.
Chili Powder
Whilst chili powder is not as hot as cayenne pepper, it will still be a decent substitute. The powder is made from dried chili peppers that have been ground.
Gochugaru
Gochugaru is hugely popular in Korean cooking and is made up of coarsely ground red pepper flakes.
Jalapeno Powder
If you’re lucky enough to have your own plant patch or pots in or around your home, then you should try to grow your own jalapeno peppers so you can ground your own jalapeno powder.
Chipotle Powder
If you want to replicate the hot, smoky flavor of cayenne pepper then you should try out chipotle powder.
Black Pepper
If there’s one thing you will most certainly have around your kitchen (we hope anyway!) is black pepper.
What Is Cayenne Pepper?
Along with bell peppers and jalapeños, the cayenne pepper belongs to the pepper species called Capsicum annuum. Generally, it is considered moderately spicy, measuring between 30,000 to 50,000 Scoville Heat Units or SHU. Using the Scoville Scale as a base, cayenne sits above the serrano and below chile de arbol in terms of heat.
10 Best Cayenne Pepper Substitutes To Use
Found your bottle of cayenne empty just when you’re about to add a dash to this grilled cajun chicken? There’s no need to be flustered. Here are 10 best cayenne substitute options you can use, so you don’t have to go spice-free for dishes that need it!
Delicious Cayenne Pepper Recipes To Try
Not afraid to taste some recipes that offer a little kick or maybe a bit more? Here are a few recipes that feature cayenne’s memorable flavor and heat:
What is Cayenne Pepper?
Ground Cayenne Pepper is a type of of chili pepper. They are bight red in color and are usually about 10 to 25 cm long. This fresh cayenne pepper is usually grown in Central and South America.
What Can I substitute for Cayenne Pepper?
There are many options in replacing dried and ground Cayenne Pepper with other spices. My family loves a little spice in recipes so these options have been our preferred methods. We have tried them and they have still left our meals with that fiery taste that we love.
Chili Powder
Chili Powder has been a great substitute for cayenne pepper. This seasoning is a staple spice in my spice cabinet as it use a lot of chili and taco seasoning. Chili Powder consist of a variety of chili peppers that have been ground to make this seasoning.
Red Pepper Flakes
Using Red Chili Flakes is a great option for a substitute for cayenne pepper. We usually have this seasoning as we love sprinkle this on our favorite pizza. Most of the time this seasoning is not sold or served ground. It is usually dried and crushed.
Hot Paprika
Paprika is probably one of the closest spice to cayenne pepper there is. Paprika has more of a smokie flavor than cayenne pepper but it still will get you pretty close to the flavor we love with cayenne pepper.
Hot Sauce
Another good replacement that is very similar to Cayenne Pepper is Hot Sauce. Hot Sauce or Tabasco Sauce is a great alternative when you do not have any cayenne pepper.
Chipotle Pepper
Chipotle Pepper is basically a dried jalapeno. The chipotle pepper is usually sold in a powder form. This earthy, smoky dried pepper is great alternative but the heat level is a little less than the cayenne pepper.
What is Cayenne Pepper?
First, cayenne pepper is a chili pepper that belongs to the Capsicum genus.
The 5 Best Substitutes for Cayenne Peppers
If you are looking for an alternative to cayenne pepper, here are five substitutes you can use instead.
2 – Red Chili Flakes
Red chili flakes are a good substitute for cayenne pepper because they have a lot of heat and flavor.
3 – Chili Powder
Chili powder is a great substitute for cayenne pepper for people who enjoy medium spicy flavors.
Conclusion
Cayenne pepper is a popular ingredient that adds spicy flavor and heat to many dishes.
What Are the Best Cayenne Pepper Substitutes
We listed the 6 best cayenne pepper alternatives that you can choose from.
What Does Cayenne Pepper Taste Like
In terms of heat tolerance, most people should be fine with fresh cayenne peppers. It’s hot enough to be flavorful but not so intense that it would turn off the vast majority of palates. Because it has more capsaicin than a jalapeño and lower-heat peppers, this is a hot pepper that may be used in different ways beyond its culinary uses.
Related Questions
Although they both come from the same plant, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes are often different spices. Red peppers are usually sweeter and less spicy than cayenne pepper. Ground Cayenne pepper typically has a higher rating on the Scoville scale. How there are quite a few styles so check how hot your one is.
What Is Cayenne Pepper?
Dried, ground cayenne pepper starts out as long, fresh red chilies ( Capsicum annuum ). They originated in South America. Mature cayenne peppers are about 2 to 5 inches long and typically harvested red, when they are hottest, then they are dried and finely ground.
What Does Cayenne Taste Like?
Cayenne doesn’t have a smoky or earthy a flavor as some other dried chiles do. Mostly, it’s hot and a little fruity, and that’s about it. This is an asset, not a drawback. Cayenne may be a power player in heat, but it works nicely with other flavors.
Fresh vs Dried Cayenne
Fresh cayenne peppers have thin walls, which makes them not well-suited to shipping. But this characteristic makes them excellent for drying, and that’s why the cayenne you encounter in stores is almost always dried and ground.
How to Cook with Cayenne
A strategic dash of ground cayenne enlivens many dishes. It’s been popular in American cookery for years. Grab a pinch of cayenne when you want an underlying thread of heat in something rich, like macaroni and cheese from scratch. Or use a lot for a blast of straightforward heat, as in our Nashville hot chicken.
Where to Buy Cayenne Pepper
Since it’s a spice rack standard, you can get ground cayenne pepper at nearly any supermarket. Just look in the spice aisle. For freshness, buy it from a purveyor that sells it in bulk or has a good turnover. Shopping online? We’re always fans of The Spice House .
Cayenne Pepper Substitutes
For recipes where you’re only using a pinch or a small fraction of a teaspoon, a few dashes of red pepper sauce (such as Tabasco) is a fine substitute for ground cayenne. You can also use dried red pepper flakes, which are coarser and can be milder.
How to Make Your Own Cayenne Pepper
The best way to make your own cayenne pepper is to grow your own cayenne peppers. They’ll thrive in a garden in a hot climate or in warm summer seasons. You can also grow them in containers. After harvesting the ripe red peppers, dry them in a dehydrator or oven, or hang them to air-dry (the latter works best in a dry climate).
Table of Contents
Ground Cayenne Powder Substitutes
- Hot paprika chili powder
You’ll want to check the label of the bottle of paprika you have sitting in your cupboard. There are various heat levels of paprika; not all paprika will bring the medium heat that cayenne pepper delivers (30,000 to 50,000 Scoville heat units). In fact, if it’s just labeled “paprika” assume it isn’t. … - Red chili flakes
This is your best “quick fix” solution as red pepper flakes (aka crushed red pepper) is very common in kitchens, even kitchens without a lot of other spice options. Cayenne pepper is the staple of many red chili flake mixes, though it’s often cut with flakes from other chilies. It usuall…
Fresh Cayenne Pepper Substitutes
- Tabasco pepper
Tabasco and cayenne peppers share a very similar heat profile, but tabasco peppersare known for their juiciness too. That’s quite different from cayenne (or any hot pepper), and it could definitely change a recipe’s overall flavor. Still, for salsas and hot sauces, tabasco peppers can definitely … - Thai peppers
Some stores carry fresh Thai peppers, and, worst case, you can typically find dried Thai peppers in the international foods section of most any grocer. But these Thai peppers will be double the heat of cayenne – 50,000 to 100,000 Scoville heat units. If you like spicy, this is a good substitute. If c…
Must-Read Related Posts
- Red Jalapeño Vs. Green: This is an easy to find fresh cayenne alternative. Learn more about the differences between the two color options you typically find in stores.
- Cayenne Vs. Chipotle: Chipotle powder is often found in spice racks as well. Learn more about why it’s very different than cayenne.
- Cayenne Planting Guide: If you have a green thumb, you could opt to grow this chili, so you’ll r…
- Red Jalapeño Vs. Green: This is an easy to find fresh cayenne alternative. Learn more about the differences between the two color options you typically find in stores.
- Cayenne Vs. Chipotle: Chipotle powder is often found in spice racks as well. Learn more about why it’s very different than cayenne.
- Cayenne Planting Guide: If you have a green thumb, you could opt to grow this chili, so you’ll rarely be without.
